TechShop and Dublin City University Launch Effort to Bring TechShop to Ireland

High-tech, open-access makerspace on DCU Innovation Campus would support growing community of digital and hardware innovators and entrepreneurs in Dublin

DUBLIN, Ireland and SAN JOSE, Calif.
, March 12, 2014 --

TechShop, a membership-based, do-it-yourself (DIY) workshop and fabrication studio with locations across the United States , today announced an alliance with Dublin City University (DCU) Innovation Campus to bring the fabrication studio to Ireland in early 2015. The news was released after Lord Mayor of Dublin Oisín Quinn and TechShop CEO Mark Hatch formally agreed to the effort at TechShop San Jose. A TechShop in Dublin would fuel the fast growing maker movement in Ireland, part of the increasing demand for maker spaces in Europe.

The initiative would see TechShop in Dublin facilitate innovators, entrepreneurs, students, university students, researchers, community groups, indigenous businesses, and multinational corporations in learning advanced manufacturing skills. The facility would also give them the ability to rapidly prototype new products – from medical devices and clean technologies to consumer electronics and aeronautical innovations. Companies founded and initially prototyped in TechShop include Square, the revolutionary card reader technology founded by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey; Lightning Motors Corp, the world’s fastest electric motorcycle manufacturer; and Embrace, a polymer baby blanket to incubate premature babies in the developing world.

“The impact of this exciting partnership between TechShop and Dublin City University will be seen in job creation, training, re-skilling and STEM education opportunities both in the local economy and right across Ireland,” said DCU President Professor Brian MacCraith. “By supporting the existing advanced manufacturing base and eliminating barriers to new startups across all areas of economic activity, TechShop in Dublin will provide a platform to hothouse enterprise and innovation. The synergies made possible by this collaboration between TechShop and DCU’s cleantech campus will drive growth for current and future generations of innovative, export-focused Irish business, reflecting the mission of DCU as Ireland’s University of Enterprise.”

“We’re proud to work with DCU, a respected and innovative university, in an effort to bring TechShop to the people of Dublin,” said Mark Hatch, CEO of TechShop. “We hope to replicate the success we’ve had at DCU’s sister campus at Arizona State University in Chandler, where we opened last year with the goal of satisfying people’s passion for engineering and ‘making’ with the tools and resources they need. Ideally, we will participate in developing education programs that can be delivered at both TechShop locations.”

When assessing opportunities in Europe, TechShop was drawn to Dublin’s growing reputation in the technology sector. In addition to the presence of Google, Facebook, Dropbox, and other tech leaders, Citibank in recent years ranked Dublin as the city with the best “human capital” in its report on the most competitive cities in the world. Such an environment complements TechShop’s mission to help the creative class build their dreams.

About DCU Innovation Campus As Ireland’s University of Enterprise, DCU is strongly committed to developing and delivering real innovation with an economic impact, in partnership with industry. Opened in 2013, the Innovation Campus is leveraging the significant research expertise of DCU and its extensive industry partner network to create a cluster of like-minded companies and academics. Innovative companies and not-for-profits work alongside each other in a campus environment, using dedicated office spaces, engineering workshops, and research labs, with direct access to academic research centres and highly trained, emerging talent. The Innovation Campus is uniquely positioned to drive progress on critical issues in terms of energy, water, data, health, and society, in line with DCU’s strategic plan.

About TechShop, Inc.
Founded in October 2006, TechShop is a membership-based, do-it-yourself (DIY) workshop and fabrication studio that provides access to a vibrant community of creative makers and more than $1 million worth of equipment, tools, and software. Based in San Jose, Calif., with locations nationwide, TechShop offers classes, workshops, instruction, and training for people of all ages and skill levels to build whatever they can dream.

For information and course listings, visit www.techshop.com, email info@techshop.com or call 855-TECHSHOP. You can follow TechShop on Twitter at "@TechShop." TechShop is also on Facebook as "TechShop Incorporated."